As winter tightens its grip on the northern regions of India, the recent weather patterns have brought about a significant chill, with minimum temperatures ranging from 4-8°C over vast expanses of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, and northwest Rajasthan. Meanwhile, some parts of northwest Uttar Pradesh experienced slightly milder temperatures in the range of 8-12°C. This cold spell has not been uniform across the nation, with variations observed in different states.
“Notably, minimum temperatures were recorded below normal by 2-3°C at isolated places over Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, interior Odisha, Vidarbha, and Telangana. In contrast, temperatures were normal to above normal over the rest of the country, highlighting the diverse weather conditions prevailing in different regions”.
The current weather scenario is influenced by two main weather systems. A Western Disturbance, characterized by a cyclonic circulation, is positioned over North Pakistan and its neighboring areas in the lower tropospheric levels. This disturbance is accompanied by a trough aloft in the middle and upper tropospheric levels, stretching between Latitude 44°N/Longitude 62°E and Latitude 26°N/Longitude 68°E. Simultaneously, a Cyclonic Circulation prevails over the Equatorial Indian Ocean and the adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal in the lower tropospheric levels.
“Looking ahead, the forecast for the next five days provides valuable insights into expected weather developments. Isolated light rainfall and snowfall are anticipated over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad on the 23rd, with isolated light rainfall predicted over Punjab and Haryana on the same day. Additionally, light to moderate rainfall is expected at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Kerala & Mahe, and the Lakshadweep area during the next 4-5 days”.
Dense fog warnings have also been issued, with very dense fog conditions likely in morning hours at isolated pockets of Punjab over the next 4-5 days. Similar conditions are expected in the morning hours in isolated pockets of Haryana on the 24th and 25th, northwest Rajasthan on the 24th, northwest Uttar Pradesh during the 25th-27th, Assam & Meghalaya, Mizoram & Tripura, and Odisha on the 23rd and 24th of December.
In terms of minimum temperature forecasts, Northwest and Central India are expected to see a rise by about 2°C in the next 24 hours, with no significant change thereafter. Meanwhile, East India is anticipated to experience a rise of 2-3°C in minimum temperatures over the next 2 days, followed by a stable pattern.
Source: India Meteorological Department
